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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>John 8:31 So He said to the Jews who had believed Him, "If you continue in My word, you are truly My disciples.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/john/8-31.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/8/43_Jhn_08_31.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="John 8:31 - The Truth will Set You Free" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="So He said to the Jews who had believed Him, If you continue in My word, you are truly My disciples." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script> <script src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/biblehub.js' type='text/javascript'></script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/john/8-31.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/john/8-31.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/john/">John</a> > <a href="/john/8.htm">Chapter 8</a> > Verse 31</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad1.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/john/8-30.htm" title="John 8:30">◄</a> John 8:31 <a href="/john/8-32.htm" title="John 8:32">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Study Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Crossref </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comment </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/john/8.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/john/8.htm">New International Version</a> To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, &#8220If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. <a href="/nlt/john/8.htm">New Living Translation</a> Jesus said to the people who believed in him, “You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. <a href="/esv/john/8.htm">English Standard Version</a> So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, <a href="/bsb/john/8.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> So He said to the Jews who had believed Him, “If you continue in My word, you are truly My disciples. <a href="/blb/john/8.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> Therefore Jesus was saying to the Jews having believed in Him, "If you abide in My word, you are truly My disciples. <a href="/kjv/john/8.htm">King James Bible</a> Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; <a href="/nkjv/john/8.htm">New King James Version</a> Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. <a href="/nasb_/john/8.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, “If you continue in My word, then you are truly My disciples; <a href="/nasb/john/8.htm">NASB 1995</a> So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, &#8220If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; <a href="/nasb77/john/8.htm">NASB 1977 </a> Jesus therefore was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, “If you abide in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; <a href="/lsb/john/8.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, “If you abide in My word, then you are truly My disciples; <a href="/amp/john/8.htm">Amplified Bible</a> So Jesus was saying to the Jews who had believed Him, “If you abide in My word [continually obeying My teachings and living in accordance with them, then] you are truly My disciples. <a href="/csb/john/8.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> Then Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you continue in my word, you really are my disciples. <a href="/hcsb/john/8.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed Him, &#8220If you continue in My word, you really are My disciples. <a href="/asv/john/8.htm">American Standard Version</a> Jesus therefore said to those Jews that had believed him, If ye abide in my word, then are ye truly my disciples; <a href="/cev/john/8.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> Jesus told the people who had faith in him, "If you keep on obeying what I have said, you truly are my disciples. <a href="/erv/john/8.htm">English Revised Version</a> Jesus therefore said to those Jews which had believed him, If ye abide in my word, then are ye truly my disciples; <a href="/gwt/john/8.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> So Jesus said to those Jews who believed in him, "If you live by what I say, you are truly my disciples. <a href="/gnt/john/8.htm">Good News Translation</a> So Jesus said to those who believed in him, "If you obey my teaching, you are really my disciples; <a href="/isv/john/8.htm">International Standard Version</a> So Jesus told those Jews who had believed in him, "If you continue in my word, you are really my disciples. <a href="/msb/john/8.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> So He said to the Jews who had believed Him, “If you continue in My word, you are truly My disciples. <a href="/net/john/8.htm">NET Bible</a> Then Jesus said to those Judeans who had believed him, "If you continue to follow my teaching, you are really my disciples <a href="/nheb/john/8.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> Jesus therefore said to those Judeans who had believed him, "If you remain in my word, then you are truly my disciples. <a href="/wbt/john/8.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> Then said Jesus to those Jews who believed on him, If ye continue in my word, ye are my disciples indeed; <a href="/wey/john/8.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> Jesus therefore said to those of the Jews who had now believed in Him, "As for you, if you hold fast to my teaching, then you are truly my disciples; <a href="/web/john/8.htm">World English Bible</a> Jesus therefore said to those Jews who had believed him, “If you remain in my word, then you are truly my disciples. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/john/8.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> Jesus, therefore, said to the Jews who believed in Him, “If you may remain in My word, you are truly My disciples, <a href="/blb/john/8.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> Therefore Jesus was saying to the Jews having believed in Him, "If you abide in My word, you are truly My disciples. <a href="/ylt/john/8.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> Jesus, therefore, said unto the Jews who believed in him, 'If ye may remain in my word, truly my disciples ye are, and ye shall know the truth, <a href="/slt/john/8.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> Then said Jesus to the Jews having believed him, If ye remain in my word, ye are truly my disciples.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/john/8.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> Then Jesus said to those Jews, who believed him: If you continue in my word, you shall be my disciples indeed. <a href="/cpdv/john/8.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> Therefore, Jesus said to those Jews who believed in him: “If you will abide in my word, you will truly be my disciples. <a href="/nabre/john/8.htm">New American Bible</a> Jesus then said to those Jews who believed in him, “If you remain in my word, you will truly be my disciples, <a href="/nrsvce/john/8.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> Then Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, “If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples;<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/john/8.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> Then Jesus said to the Jews who believed in him, If you abide by my word, you are truly my disciples. <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/john/8.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> And Yeshua said to those Judeans who trusted in him, “If you will continue in my word, you are truly my disciples.”<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/john/8.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> Then said Jesus to those Jews that believed on him: If you continue in my word, you are my disciples indeed, <a href="/godbey/john/8.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> Then Jesus said to the Jews, who believed on Him, <FR>If you may abide in my word, you are truly my disciples;<Fr> <a href="/haweis/john/8.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> Then said Jesus to those Jews who believed on him, If ye abide in my word, assuredly ye are my disciples; <a href="/mace/john/8.htm">Mace New Testament</a> Jesus said therefore to those Jews who believed on him, if you adhere to my doctrine, then will you be my disciples indeed; and ye shall know the truth, <a href="/wey/john/8.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> Jesus therefore said to those of the Jews who had now believed in Him, "As for you, if you hold fast to my teaching, then you are truly my disciples; <a href="/worrell/john/8.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> Jesus, therefore, said to those Jews who had believed on Him, <FR>"If ye abide in My word, ye are truly My disciples;<Fr> <a href="/worsley/john/8.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> Therefore said Jesus to the Jews that believed on Him, <FR>If ye continue in my word, ye are indeed my disciples.<Fr> <a href="/parallel/john/8-31.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ixy2bchmXZ0?start=2946" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/john/8.htm">The Truth will Set You Free</a> 30As Jesus spoke these things, many believed in Him. 31<a href="/greek/3767.htm" title="3767: oun (Conj) -- Therefore, then. Apparently a primary word; certainly, or accordingly.">So</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: ho (Art-NMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/2424.htm" title="2424: Iēsous (N-NMS) -- Of Hebrew origin; Jesus, the name of our Lord and two other Israelites.">He</a> <a href="/greek/2036.htm" title="2036: Elegen (V-IIA-3S) -- Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say.">said</a> <a href="/greek/4314.htm" title="4314: pros (Prep) -- To, towards, with. A strengthened form of pro; a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e. Toward.">to</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tous (Art-AMP) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">the</a> <a href="/greek/2453.htm" title="2453: Ioudaious (Adj-AMP) -- Jewish. From Iouda; Judaean, i.e. Belonging to Jehudah.">Jews</a> <a href="/greek/4100.htm" title="4100: pepisteukotas (V-RPA-AMP) -- From pistis; to have faith, i.e. Credit; by implication, to entrust.">who had believed</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autō (PPro-DM3S) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.">Him,</a> <a href="/greek/1437.htm" title="1437: Ean (Conj) -- If. From ei and an; a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc.">“If</a> <a href="/greek/4771.htm" title="4771: hymeis (PPro-N2P) -- You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou.">you</a> <a href="/greek/3306.htm" title="3306: meinēte (V-ASA-2P) -- To remain, abide, stay, wait; with acc: I wait for, await. A primary verb; to stay.">continue</a> <a href="/greek/1722.htm" title="1722: en (Prep) -- In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; in, at, on, by, etc.">in</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tō (Art-DMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/1699.htm" title="1699: emō (PPro-DM1S) -- My, mine. From the oblique cases of ego; my.">My</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tō (Art-DMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/3056.htm" title="3056: logō (N-DMS) -- From lego; something said; by implication, a topic, also reasoning or motive; by extension, a computation; specially, the Divine Expression.">word,</a> <a href="/greek/1510.htm" title="1510: este (V-PIA-2P) -- I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.">you are</a> <a href="/greek/230.htm" title="230: alēthōs (Adv) -- Truly, really, certainly, surely. Adverb from alethes; truly.">truly</a> <a href="/greek/1473.htm" title="1473: mou (PPro-G1S) -- I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.">My</a> <a href="/greek/3101.htm" title="3101: mathētai (N-NMP) -- A learner, disciple, pupil. From manthano; a learner, i.e. Pupil.">disciples.</a> 32Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/john/15-7.htm">John 15:7</a> If you remain in Me and My words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. <a href="/john/14-23.htm">John 14:23</a> Jesus replied, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word. My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him. <a href="/john/15-10.htm">John 15:10</a> If you keep My commandments, you will remain in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and remain in His love. <a href="/john/13-35.htm">John 13:35</a> By this everyone will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another.” <a href="/1_john/2-24.htm">1 John 2:24</a> As for you, let what you have heard from the beginning remain in you. If it does, you will also remain in the Son and in the Father. <a href="/1_john/3-24.htm">1 John 3:24</a> Whoever keeps His commandments remains in God, and God in him. And by this we know that He remains in us: by the Spirit He has given us. <a href="/1_john/2-3.htm">1 John 2:3-5</a> By this we can be sure that we have come to know Him: if we keep His commandments. / If anyone says, “I know Him,” but does not keep His commandments, he is a liar, and the truth is not in him. / But if anyone keeps His word, the love of God has been truly perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him: <a href="/2_john/1-9.htm">2 John 1:9</a> Anyone who runs ahead without remaining in the teaching of Christ does not have God. Whoever remains in His teaching has both the Father and the Son. <a href="/james/1-22.htm">James 1:22-25</a> Be doers of the word, and not hearers only. Otherwise, you are deceiving yourselves. / For anyone who hears the word but does not carry it out is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror, / and after observing himself goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. ... <a href="/matthew/7-21.htm">Matthew 7:21-23</a> Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of My Father in heaven. / Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ / Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you workers of lawlessness!’ <a href="/luke/6-46.htm">Luke 6:46</a> Why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ but do not do what I say? <a href="/romans/2-13.htm">Romans 2:13</a> For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but it is the doers of the law who will be declared righteous. <a href="/romans/6-17.htm">Romans 6:17</a> But thanks be to God that, though you once were slaves to sin, you wholeheartedly obeyed the form of teaching to which you were committed. <a href="/colossians/3-16.htm">Colossians 3:16</a> Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. <a href="/hebrews/3-14.htm">Hebrews 3:14</a> We have come to share in Christ if we hold firmly to the end the assurance we had at first.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If you continue in my word, then are you my disciples indeed;If.<a href="/john/6-66.htm">John 6:66-71</a> From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him… <a href="/john/15-4.htm">John 15:4-9</a> Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me… <a href="/1_samuel/12-14.htm">1 Samuel 12:14</a> If ye will fear the LORD, and serve him, and obey his voice, and not rebel against the commandment of the LORD, then shall both ye and also the king that reigneth over you continue following the LORD your God:my disciples.<a href="/john/8-36.htm">John 8:36</a> If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.<a href="/john/1-47.htm">John 1:47</a> Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him, Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!<a href="/john/6-55.htm">John 6:55</a> For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/john/4-40.htm">Abide</a> <a href="/john/8-30.htm">Believed</a> <a href="/luke/13-33.htm">Continue</a> <a href="/john/7-3.htm">Disciples</a> <a href="/john/8-30.htm">Faith</a> <a href="/luke/18-12.htm">Fast</a> <a href="/luke/23-26.htm">Hold</a> <a href="/john/8-24.htm">Indeed</a> <a href="/john/8-28.htm">Jesus</a> <a href="/john/8-22.htm">Jews</a> <a href="/john/7-40.htm">Really</a> <a href="/john/8-28.htm">Teaching</a> <a href="/john/7-40.htm">Truth</a> <a href="/john/7-36.htm">Word</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/john/12-46.htm">Abide</a> <a href="/john/10-25.htm">Believed</a> <a href="/john/8-35.htm">Continue</a> <a href="/john/9-2.htm">Disciples</a> <a href="/john/9-35.htm">Faith</a> <a href="/john/20-2.htm">Fast</a> <a href="/john/10-24.htm">Hold</a> <a href="/john/8-36.htm">Indeed</a> <a href="/john/8-34.htm">Jesus</a> <a href="/john/8-48.htm">Jews</a> <a href="/john/8-36.htm">Really</a> <a href="/john/8-37.htm">Teaching</a> <a href="/john/8-32.htm">Truth</a> <a href="/john/8-37.htm">Word</a><div class="vheading2">John 8</div>1. <a href="/john/8-1.htm">Jesus delivers the woman taken in adultery.</a> 12. <a href="/john/8-12.htm">He declares himself the light of the world, and justifies his doctrine;</a> 31. <a href="/john/8-31.htm">promises freedom to those who believe;</a> 33. <a href="/john/8-33.htm">answers the Jews who boasted of Abraham;</a> 48. <a href="/john/8-48.htm">answers their reviling, by showing his authority and dignity;</a> 59. <a href="/john/8-59.htm">and slips away from those who would stone him.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <script type="text/javascript"> </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"> </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading"><a href="/study/john/8.htm">Berean Study Bible</a></div>So He said This phrase indicates a direct communication from Jesus, emphasizing His role as a teacher and authority. The Greek word for "said" is "eipen," which is often used in the New Testament to denote not just speaking, but conveying a message of importance. Jesus' words are not casual; they are intentional and carry divine authority.to the Jews who had believed Him This group is significant because it highlights those who had accepted Jesus' message to some extent. The Greek term "pisteuo" for "believed" implies more than intellectual assent; it suggests trust and reliance. Historically, this belief was a radical shift from traditional Jewish teachings, indicating a willingness to embrace Jesus' new covenant.If you continue The word "continue" is translated from the Greek "meno," meaning to remain, abide, or dwell. This implies a persistent, ongoing action, not a one-time event. In the context of discipleship, it suggests a lifelong commitment to living out Jesus' teachings. The historical context of discipleship in the first century involved a deep, personal relationship with a rabbi, where the disciple would emulate the teacher's life and teachings.in My word "Word" here is "logos" in Greek, which can mean a spoken word, a message, or a teaching. In the broader scriptural context, "logos" is also used to describe Jesus Himself (<a href="/john/1.htm">John 1:1</a>). Thus, continuing in Jesus' word means adhering to His teachings and embodying His message. It is a call to align one's life with the truth and wisdom of Christ.you are truly My disciples The phrase "truly My disciples" underscores authenticity and genuineness. The Greek word "alethos" for "truly" conveys a sense of reality and truthfulness. Being a disciple of Jesus is not merely about external adherence but involves a true transformation of heart and mind. Historically, discipleship required a radical reorientation of one's life, often at great personal cost, reflecting a deep commitment to the teacher's mission and values.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/john/8.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(31) Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him.--Better, to those Jews who had believed Him. The act of faith is mentioned in the previous verse. They are here placed among the believers, with an expression of contrast mixed with, perhaps, something of wonder--Jews and yet believers.If ye continue in my word.--Or, If ye abide in My word. Comp. Note on <a href="/john/15-7.htm" title="If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, you shall ask what you will, and it shall be done to you.">John 15:7</a>, where we have the opposite form of the thought, "If ye abide in Me, and My words abide in you." See also for this idea of abiding, Notes on <a href="/context/john/5-37.htm" title="And the Father himself, which has sent me, has borne witness of me. You have neither heard his voice at any time, nor seen his shape.">John 5:37-38</a>. His word was the expression of the eternal truth of God, and He therefore was the one great Teacher. Every other must sit as a disciple at His feet, and continue in daily learning and in daily living to grasp the truth which, in that word and that word only, was revealed to man.Here, as very frequently, part of the force of the sentence is expressed in the emphasis of the pronoun, "If ye continue in My word." "Ye, on your part, ye who now believe, but have not the courage to rank yourselves openly among My disciples."Then are ye my disciples indeed.--The insertion of "then" does not improve the rendering--"If ye continue in My word, ye are My disciples indeed." The words imply that He who reads the heart has no confidence in this momentary conviction, which will not stand the test of true discipleship, and all that this includes. (Comp. Notes on <a href="/context/john/2-23.htm" title="Now when he was in Jerusalem at the passover, in the feast day, many believed in his name, when they saw the miracles which he did.">John 2:23-25</a>; <a href="/john/6-66.htm" title="From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.">John 6:66</a>.) . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/john/8.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verses 31-59 describe a further conversation, not with the same audience. The words record a vivid conflict between the Lord and the Jews who believed him, who accepted the Messianic claims, but persisted in interpreting them, not by his word, but by their own ideas of the theocratic kingdom, by their privileges as children of Abraham, by their national animosity to their nearest neighbours the Samaritans, by their inability to press behind the veil of his humanity to his Divine nature. Their faith was of the most imperfect kind; but such as it was, it was made manifest to the observation of the apostle, and this throws light upon the fact that, among the many who believed on him, or rather alongside of these, there was a certain section of "the Jews," of the chief rulers and rabbis, who made a definite movement towards him. This doubtless excited the intense enthusiasm of the disciples, who might at once hope and almost expect that Jesus would with open arms accept their homage. But he at once puts this faith of theirs - perhaps ignorantly expressed - to a proof absolutely necessary for the salvation of his hearers. Verses 31, 32. - (4) The test Christ supplied to those who admitted his testimony - true discipleship and freedom. Jesus therefore said to the Jews who had believed him - or, had become believing, and were now waiting for some special sign that their belief of his words was to be immediately rewarded by some closer conformity between his next step and their own prepossessions - If ye abide in my word, then are ye truly my disciples. Short of making the word of Jesus the resting place for both heart and intellect, full discipleship would be impossible. The true disciple receives and continues in the word of his Master. The expression expands and illustrates the difference between believing Christ to speak the truth, and believing in him. Many ancient Jews and modern Christians believe so much of Christ's word as is verified by their moral consciousness, and dispute or dispose of the rest as Aberglaube. The genuine disciple continues, abides, in the word of him who is the incarnate Word, yielding to it entire acquiescence, as the absolute reality of things, as the truth about God and man. He adds, And ye shall come fully to know the truth; i.e. to realize in the very depths of your being the trustworthy character of my word. "The Truth" (see <a href="/john/14-6.htm">John 14:6</a>) is one of the distinguishing names which Jesus takes to himself. He is the Truth, and "full of grace and truth." So far this statement corresponds with <a href="/john/7-16.htm">John 7:16, 17</a>. The "Jews" who had believed him would not feel the fiery ordeal and touch of flame applied to the sensitive skin of their pride and self-importance; but when he added, And the truth shall emancipate you, the case was altered. Truth only can set the mind free from its bondage under ignorance and prejudice and evil habit. If the Light of the world shines into the dark places of the heart, the chains erewhile misunderstood will not only become visible, but will be broken. Godet beautifully says that "the empire of sin in a human heart is based upon an illusion, a fascination. Let truth shine, and the spell is broken, the will is disgusted with that which seduced it - 'the bird escapes from the net of the fowler.'" But this proffer of freedom to his disciples by continuing in his word was too startling a suggestion for their nascent and imperfect faith. He had told them that without faith in him they would die in their sins (ver. 24); now he assures them that, unless they abide steadfastly in his word, they will not escape from a bondage manifest enough to his eye, if not to theirs. This brings from them an angry response. <a href="/commentaries/john/8-31.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>So οὖν (oun) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_3767.htm">Strong's 3767: </a> Therefore, then. Apparently a primary word; certainly, or accordingly. [He] Ἰησοῦς (Iēsous) Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2424.htm">Strong's 2424: </a> Of Hebrew origin; Jesus, the name of our Lord and two other Israelites. said Ἔλεγεν (Elegen) Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2036.htm">Strong's 2036: </a> Answer, bid, bring word, command. A primary verb; to speak or say. to πρὸς (pros) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_4314.htm">Strong's 4314: </a> To, towards, with. A strengthened form of pro; a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e. Toward. the τοὺς (tous) Article - Accusative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. Jews Ἰουδαίους (Ioudaious) Adjective - Accusative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_2453.htm">Strong's 2453: </a> Jewish. From Iouda; Judaean, i.e. Belonging to Jehudah. [who] had believed πεπιστευκότας (pepisteukotas) Verb - Perfect Participle Active - Accusative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_4100.htm">Strong's 4100: </a> From pistis; to have faith, i.e. Credit; by implication, to entrust. Him, αὐτῷ (autō) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative Masculine 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_846.htm">Strong's 846: </a> He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons. “If Ἐὰν (Ean) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_1437.htm">Strong's 1437: </a> If. From ei and an; a conditional particle; in case that, provided, etc. you ὑμεῖς (hymeis) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative 2nd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_4771.htm">Strong's 4771: </a> You. The person pronoun of the second person singular; thou. continue μείνητε (meinēte) Verb - Aorist Subjunctive Active - 2nd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_3306.htm">Strong's 3306: </a> To remain, abide, stay, wait; with acc: I wait for, await. A primary verb; to stay. in ἐν (en) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_1722.htm">Strong's 1722: </a> In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc. My ἐμῷ (emō) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative Masculine 1st Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1699.htm">Strong's 1699: </a> My, mine. From the oblique cases of ego; my. word, λόγῳ (logō) Noun - Dative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3056.htm">Strong's 3056: </a> From lego; something said; by implication, a topic, also reasoning or motive; by extension, a computation; specially, the Divine Expression. you are ἐστε (este) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 2nd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_1510.htm">Strong's 1510: </a> I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist. truly ἀληθῶς (alēthōs) Adverb <a href="/greek/strongs_230.htm">Strong's 230: </a> Truly, really, certainly, surely. Adverb from alethes; truly. My μού (mou) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 1st Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1473.htm">Strong's 1473: </a> I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I. disciples. μαθηταί (mathētai) Noun - Nominative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_3101.htm">Strong's 3101: </a> A learner, disciple, pupil. From manthano; a learner, i.e. Pupil. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/john/8-31.htm">John 8:31 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/john/8-31.htm">John 8:31 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/john/8-31.htm">John 8:31 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/john/8-31.htm">John 8:31 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/john/8-31.htm">John 8:31 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/john/8-31.htm">John 8:31 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/john/8-31.htm">John 8:31 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/john/8-31.htm">John 8:31 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/john/8-31.htm">John 8:31 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/john/8-31.htm">John 8:31 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/john/8-31.htm">NT Gospels: John 8:31 Jesus therefore said to those Jews who (Jhn Jo Jn) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/john/8-30.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="John 8:30"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="John 8:30" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/john/8-32.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="John 8:32"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="John 8:32" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>